The Orange County School Board and the County Commission have denied Ocoee's request to go into conflict resolution about Evans High's possible move to a rural settlement near the city.

Their reasoning: There's no conflict.

Months of talks about moving Evans High from Pine Hills to the Clarcona Rural Settlement near Ocoee have angered and frustrated those who live near the settlement who said the move could ruin the integrity of the land.

Some Pine Hills residents argue that the school should stay where it is to preserve its 50-year history.

The School Board and County Commission say entering conflict resolution would be premature.

"The School Board's position is that no conflict exists at this point because it has not obtained the necessary approval from Orange County to move forward with building the new Evans High School," wrote Superintendent Ron Blocker.

The County Commission said Ocoee's assumption that the county would approve the move is speculation.

"The City's allegations in the Resolution . . . are premature and, for that matter, may never even materialize," wrote Deputy County Attorney Joel D. Prinsell.

The city asked for conflict resolution after hearing reports the School Board might propose that a new Evans High be built on a smaller plot that wouldn't intrude on the settlement.

Ocoee would still be against the move because it could have "potential adverse impacts" for Ocoee residents, city officials wrote in a letter in April outlining the need for a resolution.

Ocoee Mayor Scott Vandergrift said denying the request to meet could be grounds for a lawsuit against the School Board and County Commission.

"It sets the stage to move into a lawsuit," said Vandergrift, who has fought the move along with Ocoee residents and some Pine Hills residents.

The city has not decided what its next move would be, Vandergrift said Thursday.

"We will continue to try and get them to understand the original plan was the right plan to go renovate Evans High School," Vandergrift said. "But that depends on them. The ball is in their court."